Universal rack-mountable shelf

ABSTRACT

A support and method for supporting equipment within a rack system regardless of its design is disclosed. The base of the support includes a surface capable of supporting the equipment reducing unintended movement of the equipment. Brackets capable of being securely attached to the rack system, regardless of whether it is two-post or four-post in design, are associated with the base of the support. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of selecting a design of rack system, attaching the support of the present system, and placement of the equipment to be supported.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to co-pending provisional application Ser.No. 60/365,228, filed Mar. 14, 2002, which is incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a support rack, and more particularlyto an apparatus and method for supporting equipment, such as electronicequipment.

BACKGROUND

The physical support of objects or devices (e.g., electronic equipment)on a horizontal plane presents a number of related issues. For purposesof this application, the term “equipment” shall be used to include,without limitation, computers (of all designs, including desktop andtower), computer components, tape backups, hubs, switches, powersupplies, audio/visual components, and the like.

It is generally desirable to support equipment in a manner thatfacilitates their operation, if applicable. For example, such supportshould orient the equipment in proper or recommended spatialorientation. Other orientation may be dictated by the function (e.g.,placement of cooling fan) or other consideration. Next, support shouldbe accomplished in a manner that consumes the smallest amount of space,but still provides the user with a desired level of access. Such accessmay be necessary to monitor and/or maintain the equipment beingsupported. With modern office and storage space at a premium, thedevelopment of racks and other stacking devices for such equipment hasoccurred.

Existing shelf designs are typically made by rack manufacturers and arelimited to coupling with the respective manufacturer's two- or four-postrack design, and few, if any, others. Many manufacturers provide two- orfour-post racks designed to support equipment, such as servers and thelike, for being supported on shelves that are respectively coupled tothe two- or four-post rack systems. However, there is a need for auniversal rack mountable shelf that is adapted to attach tosubstantially all two- or four-post rack systems, regardless ofmanufacturer. In addition, because space is a premium concern for usersof two- or four-post rack systems, there is a need for multiple mountingorientations of shelves in the two- or four-post rack system.

SUMMARY

The present invention is an apparatus and method for supportingequipment on a horizontal surface or shelf, which may be secured to atwo- or four-post rack having various configurations known in the art.According to the principles of the present invention, a universal rackmountable shelf is designed to mount in substantially all two- andfour-post racks, regardless of mounting depth, rack-post style, andmanufacturer. The shelf of the present invention may be mountedright-side-up or in a reverse configuration, depending on therequirements of the user.

In general, the principles of the present invention provide for a fixed,rack mountable shelf that couples to a two- or four-post rack andsupports electrical equipment such as computer components, servers orthe like. The apparatus of the present invention includes a base portionhaving a support surface adapted to support various types of equipment.Slots or holes may be provided on the support surface to serve severalfunctions. First, the slots or holes reduce the overall weight of theshelf. Second, the slots may be orientated in a right-to-left orleft-to-right direction, which increases the front-to-back frictionbetween the shelf and the rubber feet of the equipment supportedthereon. The orientation of the slots serves to reduce the likelihood ofequipment inadvertently sliding off of the shelf. Third, the slots maybe oriented in a front-to-back direction to allow equipment to becoupled to the shelf via straps or other coupling mechanisms. Thecoupling of equipment to the shelf may be desirable in regions prone tostructural shifting and the like.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The FIGURES outlined below further illustrate the apparatus and methodof the present invention. Like reference symbols in the various drawingsindicate like elements.

FIG. 1 is a front, angled view of an embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention assembled in a 4-post configuration;

FIG. 2 is a front, angled view of an embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention assembled in a 2-post, center-mount configuration;

FIG. 3 is a front, angled view of an embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention assembled in a 2-post, flush-mount configuration;

FIG. 4A is a front, angled view of an embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention assembled in a 4-post, shallow rack configuration;

FIG. 4B is a front, angled view of an embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention assembled in a 4-post, deep rack configuration;

FIG. 5A is a front, angled view of an embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention assembled in a 2-post, flush-mount configuration;

FIG. 5B is a front, angled view of an embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention assembled in a 2-post, center-mount configuration;

FIG. 6 is a front, angled view of an embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention unassembled;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention showing a front bracket attachment;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention showing a front sliding bracket attachment;

FIG. 9A is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention showing a right-side-up mount;

FIG. 9B is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention showing a up-side-down mount;

FIG. 10A is front, angled view of a 4-post rack including an exemplaryconfiguration of multiple examples of a 4-post embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 10B is a front, angled view of a 4-post rack including an exemplaryconfiguration of multiple examples of a 4-post embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention and illustrating the sliding featureof one shelf,

FIG. 10C is a front, angled view of a 4-post rack including an exemplaryconfiguration of multiple examples of a 4-post, deep rack embodiment ofthe apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention showing a right-side-up mount orientation to conservevertical space on the rack;

FIG. 11B is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention showing a up-side-down mount orientation to conservehorizontal space on the rack; and

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of an embodiment of themethod of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the principles of the present invention are shownin FIGS. 1-12. In general, the principles of the apparatus of thepresent invention provide for a rack mountable shelf 10 that couples toa two- or four-post rack 20 and supports electronic equipment 25 (shownin FIGS. 11A and 11B), such as a server.

Now referring to FIGS. 1-3, the shelf 10 includes a base portion 30having a surface 35 adapted to support equipment (shown in FIGS. 11A and11B). The surface 35 of the base 30 preferably provides a high-frictionor non-slip surface upon which equipment can rest to prevent theunintentional movement of equipment. By way of example, and notlimitation, a non-slip surface can be achieved by: (1) providing slotsor holes 40 (or any other type or shape of opening) in the surface 35,preferably with alternating orientation; (2) roughening the surface 35via mechanical means or other means known in the art (e.g., texturedpaint); (3) covering the surface 35 with a material (e.g., commerciallyavailable anti-slip matting or rubber sheet); or (4) some combinationthereof. When coupled with use of rubber or similar material feet on theequipment to be supported, the surface 35 substantially reduces thelikelihood of unintentional movement of the equipment. It is noted thatuse of slots or holes (40) also provides other benefits to the operationof the shelf 10. For example, such slots or holes 40 may be oriented ina front-to-back direction to allow equipment to be coupled to the shelf10 via straps or other coupling mechanisms (not shown). The coupling ofequipment to the shelf 10 may be desirable in regions prone tostructural shifting and the like. Additionally, use of slots or holes 40operate to reduce the overall weight of the shelf 10.

Preferably, the shelf 10 is composed of a durable, relativelylightweight material, such as aluminum or the like metal, but can becomposed of any suitable material or combination of materials desired.For heavier equipment to be supported, steel or other heavierconstruction materials may be employed.

Two flanges 50 are provided on opposing ends of the base 30. The flanges50 may have a plurality of front fixed bracket mounting holes 60proximal a front portion for coupling a front fixed bracket 70 thereto.The plurality of front fixed bracket mounting holes 60 may, in someembodiments, be aligned vertically or in any other desiredconfiguration. The number and location of the front fixed bracketmounting holes 60 may be adjusted depending on the rack depth and therequirements of the user. A plurality of rear sliding bracket mountingholes 80 may also be provided on the flanges 50 for coupling a rearsliding bracket 90 thereto. The number and location of rear slidingbracket mounting holes 80 may be adjusted depending on the rack depthand the requirements of the user. The rear sliding mounting holes 80may, in certain embodiments, be aligned horizontally or in any otherdesired configuration. A plurality of openings 95 may be provided on theflanges 50 to allow wires to pass therethrough for guiding and coupling,and to reduce the weight of the shelf 10. A location 97 (FIG. 6) on theshelf 10 may be provided for indicia (e.g., labeling), depending on therequirements and/or desires of the user.

Now referring to FIG. 7, the front fixed bracket 70 serves as astructural attachment between the shelf 10 and the front rack attachmentflange (not shown). The front fixed bracket 70 has a plurality ofshelf-mating holes 75 on a shelf attach flange 72 for coupling the frontfixed bracket 70 to the shelf 10. Fasteners, such as screws and thelike, may be used to couple the front fixed bracket 70 to the shelf 10through the shelf-mating holes 75. Rack mounting holes 77 are providedon the rack attach flange of the front fixed bracket for coupling to arack 20. The rack mounting holes 77 are preferably located perEIA-310-D. The front fixed bracket 70 is preferably used on both sidesof the shelf 10, and may be coupled to the shelf 10 in theconfigurations shown and described in FIGS. 1-11B.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the rear sliding bracket 90 includes a rackattach flange 100 and a shelf attach portion 102. The rack attach flange100 preferably has a plurality of rack mounting holes 105 located inaccordance with EIA-310-D. A centrally located adjustment slot 110 isprovided on the shelf attach portion 102. The adjustment slot 110 isadapted to receive fasteners such as a shoulder nut 115 therethrough.The shoulder nut may be designed to allow the rear sliding bracket 90 tobe adjusted horizontally with respect to the shelf 10, and mates withscrews and the like to couple the rear sliding bracket 90 to the desiredlocation on the shelf 10.

As can be appreciated from the description herein and from FIGS. 4A, 4B,5A, 5B, 7 & 8, the mounting locations on the shelf 10 for the frontfixed bracket 70 and rear sliding bracket 90 allow coupling of the shelf10 to a two- or four-post rack 25. In addition and in an exemplaryconfiguration on a two-post rack (FIGS. 5A & 5B), the shelf 10 may becoupled flush to a surface of the posts 20 of the two-post rack system.In an additional exemplary configuration, the shelf 10 may be mounted ina center configuration (FIGS. 2 & 5B). Both exemplary configurations areshown side by side in FIGS. 5A and 5B. It can also be appreciated thatthe mounting holes of the shelf insure compatibility with substantiallyall rack hole styles, including, without limitation, round holes,threaded holes and square holes. This may be accomplished through theuse of a flange design than may be mounted on the front of the frontpost and on the back of the back post. Now referring to FIGS. 9A, 9B,11A & 11B, the design of the shelf 10 allows for coupling of the shelf10 to two- or four-post rack systems in a right-side-up (FIGS. 9A & 11A)or up-side-down (FIGS. 9B & 11B) configuration. This allows wideequipment 25 to be mounted on the shelf 10. In an up-side-downconfiguration, equipment 25 mounted to the shelf 10 may be as wide asthe opening in the rack system as set forth in EIA-310-D. In theright-side-up configuration, the two flanges 50 on opposing ends of thebase 30 may limit the width of the equipment 25 mounted thereto.Specifically referring to FIG. 11A, which shows the right-side-uporientation, it can be seen this configuration conserves vertical rackspace (or in this exemplary case, three units (3 U)) while limiting themaximum width of the equipment 25 placed on the shelf 10. FIG. 11B showsa second exemplary configuration of the shelf 10 in an up-side-downorientation, which provides for maximum equipment width while taking up,in this example, 1 U of extra space. It can be appreciated thatdifferent users will have different needs, and may utilize the presentinvention in multiple configurations to best meet these needs.

FIGS. 10A-10C show different exemplary configurations of the universalrack mountable shelves 10 as coupled to a four-post rack system 150.Referring specifically to FIG. 10A, the fronts of the shelves 10 arecoupled to the four-post rack 150 to allow a flush configuration of theshelves 10 with respect to the front posts 20 of the rack system 150.This is an exemplary installation for certain preferred embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10B shows a second exemplary configuration of universal rackmountable shelves 10 coupled to a four-post rack 150. In thisconfiguration, one shelf 10 is extended in front of the front rack post20 via use of the rear sliding bracket 90. It can be appreciated thatall shelves 10 may be configured accordingly, if desired. Thisconfiguration is especially useful for supporting keyboards and otherequipment on the extended shelf 10, or for alternate accessibility to acomponent on the shelf 10.

FIG. 10C is a third exemplary configuration of universal rack mountableshelves 10 coupled to a four-post rack 150. In this configuration, allshelves 10 are recessed behind the front posts 20 of the four-post rack150. It can be appreciated that only one or a plurality of shelves 10may be recessed, if desired. This configuration is especially useful toprovide space for patch cables (not shown). This configuration may alsobe used to provide an alternate means for providing additional space inthe front of the rack system 150.

Now referring to FIG. 12, the steps of the method of the presentinvention in shown. To use the universal rack mountable shelf 10, inStep 10, a two- or four-post rack system is selected. In Step 20, thefront fixed bracket 70 and the rear sliding bracket 90 are then coupledto the shelf 10 and the rack system selected in Step 10. A load, such asa computer component or the like, may then be applied in step 30 to thebase 30 of the shelf 10 and supported thereon. If enhanced access to theequipment 25 supported on shelf 10 is desired, in Step 40, the shelf 10may be extended away from its resting position within the rack systemselected in Step 10. Once extended, the user has enhanced access to theequipment supported by the shelf 10.

It is to be appreciated that the shelf 10 may couple to substantiallyany existing two- or four-post rack system and support loadsaccordingly. It is to be further appreciated that the universal rackmountable shelf 10 of the present invention provides numerousconfigurations for supporting a variety of loads, depending on therequirements and desires of the user.

A number of embodiments of the invention have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the followingclaims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A support for supporting a load in a rack system ofeither a two-post or four-post design, said support comprising: a base;said base having an upper surface capable of supporting the load andhaving at least two longitudinal flanges extending along at least aportion of a longitudinal dimension of the base including a firstlongitudinal flange adjacent to a first lateral edge of the base and asecond longitudinal flange adjacent to a second lateral edge of thebase; and at least one means, for each longitudinal flange, for securelyattaching the base to the rack system, the means for securely attachingadapted to enable attaching the base to rack systems having at least twodifferent designs, wherein each different design is associated with atleast one different location along the longitudinal dimension of thebase for attaching the base using the longitudinal flange.
 22. Thesupport of claim 21, wherein at least one of the brackets is adapted tosecurely attach the base to at least one of the rack systems in aninverted position, wherein the base further comprises a lower surfacecapable of supporting equipment when the base is inverted, and whereinattaching the base in the inverted position accommodates equipmenthaving at least one dimension that cannot be accommodated when the baseis in an upright position.
 23. The support of claim 21, wherein at leastone of the brackets is adapted to attach to a first bracket at one ormore fixed locations along the longitudinal dimension of the base. 24.The support of claim 21, wherein the at least one different location ofeach different design relates to at least two different designs selectedfrom the group consisting of: a two-post design including a firstlocation along the longitudinal dimension of the base for a firstattachment of the base to the rack system; a two-post design including asecond location along the longitudinal dimension of the base for thefirst attachment, wherein the second location differs from the firstlocation; a two-post design including a third location along thelongitudinal dimension of the base for a second attachment of the baseto the rack system, wherein the second attachment differs from the firstattachment; a two-post design including a fourth location along thelongitudinal dimension of the base for the second attachment, whereinthe fourth location differs from the third location; a four-post designhaving a first horizontal dimension along the longitudinal dimension ofthe base between attachments of the base to the rack system; and afour-post design having a second horizontal dimension along thelongitudinal dimension of the base between attachments of the base tothe rack system, wherein the second horizontal dimension differs fromthe first horizontal dimension.
 25. The support of claim 21, wherein atleast two of the two longitudinal flanges are disposed on differentlateral sides of the upper surface of the base.
 26. An apparatusconfigured to support equipment comprising: a base comprising: an uppersurface capable of supporting equipment; and at least two longitudinalflanges extending along at least a portion of a longitudinal dimensionof the base; and one or more brackets for each longitudinal flangeconfigured to enable the base to be coupled to rack systems having atleast two different designs such that at least one post of eachdifferent design can couple to the base using the one or more bracketsat one or more different locations along the longitudinal flange. 27.The support of claim 26, wherein the upper surface of the base isadapted to support computers, electrical components, servers, hubs,switches, or combinations thereof.
 28. The support of claim 26, whereinthe upper surface includes a material, one or more openings, a roughenedlayer, and or combinations thereof for increasing horizontal frictionproduced between the upper surface and the equipment thereon.
 29. Thesupport of claim 26, wherein at least one of the brackets is adapted toattach to at least one fixed location on at least one of thelongitudinal flanges.
 30. The support of claim 26, wherein the bracketcomprises: a first flange adapted to attach to at least one of thelongitudinal flanges; and a second flange adapted to attach to at leastone post of at least one of the rack systems.
 31. The support of claim26, wherein at least one of the brackets is adapted to slidably engageat least one of the longitudinal flanges.
 32. The support of claim 26,wherein at least one of the brackets comprises: a flange adapted toattach to at least one post of at least one of the rack systems; and aportion adapted to slidably engage a longitudinal flange.
 33. Thesupport of claim 26, wherein: the portion of the bracket comprises anadjustment slot adapted to receive a fastener for mating with at leastone hole in at least one of the longitudinal flanges; and the flange ofthe bracket comprises at least one hole adapted to mate with at leastone hole in at least one of the posts.
 34. A shelf of a rack systemcomprising: a base comprising: an upper surface capable of supportingequipment; and at least two longitudinal flanges extending along atleast a portion of a longitudinal dimension of the base; wherein one ormore of the longitudinal flanges are configured to be capable ofcoupling to two or more rack systems designs including at least atwo-post design and a four-post design, and wherein at least one of thelongitudinal flanges is further configured to enable at least one postof at least one of the rack system designs to couple to the longitudinalflange at a different location along the longitudinal flange than atleast one post of a different rack system design.
 35. The shelf of claim34, wherein the upper surface of the base is adapted to supportcomputers, electrical components, servers, hubs, switches, orcombinations thereof.
 36. The shelf of claim 34, wherein the uppersurface includes a material, one or more openings, a roughened layer,and or combinations thereof for increasing horizontal friction producedbetween the upper surface and the equipment thereon.
 37. The shelf ofclaim 34, wherein at least one of the longitudinal flanges comprises atleast one hole adapted to receive a fastener for mating with at leastone hole in a bracket configured to enable the base to be coupled to twoor more rack systems comprising at least two different designs.
 38. Theshelf of claim 34, wherein at least one of the longitudinal flangescomprises: at least one hole at each of a plurality of locationscomprising fixed locations to enable attachment with one or morebrackets configured to enable the base to be coupled to two or more racksystems; and at least one hole along the longitudinal dimension of thebase comprising an adjustment slot to enable slidable engagement withone or more of the brackets.
 39. The support of claim 34, wherein the atleast one different location of each different design relates to atleast two different designs selected from the group consisting of: atwo-post design including a first location along the longitudinaldimension of the base for a first attachment of the base to the racksystem; a two-post design including a second location along thelongitudinal dimension of the base for the first attachment, wherein thesecond location differs from the first location; a two-post designincluding a third location along the longitudinal dimension of the basefor a second attachment of the base to the rack system, wherein thesecond attachment differs from the first attachment; a two-post designincluding a fourth location along the longitudinal dimension of the basefor the second attachment, wherein the fourth location differs from thethird location; a four-post design having a first horizontal dimensionalong the longitudinal dimension of the base between attachments of thebase to the rack system; and a four-post design having a secondhorizontal dimension along the longitudinal dimension of the basebetween attachments of the base to the rack system, wherein the secondhorizontal dimension differs from the first horizontal dimension. 40.The support of claim 34, wherein at least two of the two longitudinalflanges are disposed on different lateral sides of the upper surface ofthe base.